Turnover-Plagued Huskers Fall at Minnesota

One of the key indicators for success is turnovers. Nebraska(15-6, 5-5 Big Ten) was in the top 50 nationally for turnovers per game heading into Thursday night with just a 13.9 average.

The Huskers turned the ball over 22 times in a 67-61 loss in Minneapolis.

A back-and-forth first half saw the Huskers leading 39-30 at halftime, courtesy a 12-0 run after the game was tied at 27-27. Nebraska shot 50-percent in the first 20 minutes but Minnesota(13-8, 3-7 Big Ten) was able to keep the game within striking distance by forcing nine turnovers before the break.

The Gophers defense had even more success in the second half, forcing 13 more turnovers and outscoring the Huskers 14-0 off those turnovers. Minnesota only had 12 turnovers on the game.

Nebraska did hold a 48-47 lead going into the final quarter and even extended it to 55-49 with 8:22 to go in the game, but they got outscored 13-2 next 6:37 as Minnesota took the lead for good. The Gophers held on for a 67-62 win.

Minnesota shot just 36.9-percent from the flood, including 5-of-17 from downtown. But it was the turnover difference that spurred them to victory.

The Huskers shot well, 42.9-percent of their shots but managed just 2-of-9 three-pointers.

Leigha Brown led Nebraska with 15 points, but 13 of those came in the first half. Hannah Whitish and Sam Haiby both hit double-digits scoring with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Kate Cain was held to just four points, but managed six blocked shots to give here the career record at Nebraska with 241 blocks. The previous record of 238 was held by Janet Smith who played from 1979 to 1980.

The Huskers return home February 2 to host Ohio State(11-9, 4-5 Big Ten).